Gareth Barry was given a hostile reception by Villa fans after making his first appearance since demanding a move to Liverpool.
With all 11 of the side who played in Saturday’s Intertoto draw rested, the wantaway midfielder was one of just a handful of first-team players named in a youthful Villa side, which fought back to claim a 3-2 win in last night’s friendly at Walsall.
Barry was booed at every touch and taunted with chants of ‘Judas’ and ‘You’re not fit to wear the shirt’ during the first half at the Banks’s Stadium, yet he did receive applause from some sections of the travelling support on being replaced in the 60th minute.
Walsall fans responded with “There’s only one Gareth Barry – sign him up!”
Liverpool have already seen four bids knocked back for the midfielder, with Villa boss Martin O’Neill insistent that his £18m price tag will be met.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez has becoming increasingly frustrated with O’Neill’s refusal to budge but is still expected to return with a fifth offer, which is believed to be worth around £16m plus full-back Steve Finnan.
The last time Barry was in action was as England captain in the 3-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago on June 1, marking the occasion with a goal.
His stock has declined dramatically among supporters, along with the club’s hierarchy, after giving an unauthorised interview with a Sunday newspaper in which he criticised O’Neill and insisted he wants a move to Merseyside.
The misdemeanour prompted O’Neill to ban him from training for the maximum two weeks allowed under PFA rules. It was only last Wednesday that he returned.
O’Neill and Barry held talks the following day but the midfielder simply reiterated his desire to get his dream move to Anfield and a chance to play Champions League football.
The likelihood of him playing European football this weekend when Villa host Danish opponents Odense BK in the second leg of their Intertoto Cup third-round tie still seems unlikely, despite last night’s run-out.
With all 11 of the side who played in Saturday’s Intertoto draw rested, the wantaway midfielder was one of just a handful of first-team players named in a youthful Villa side which fought back to claim a 3-2 win in last night’s friendly at Walsall.
Barry was booed at every touch and taunted with chants of ‘Judas’ and ‘You’re not fit to wear the shirt’ during the first half at the Banks’s Stadium, but he did receive applause from some sections of the travelling support on being replaced in the 60th minute.
Walsall fans responded with “There’s only one Gareth Barry – sign him up!”
Liverpool have already seen four bids knocked back for the midfielder with Villa boss Martin O’Neill insistent that his £18m price tag will be met.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez has becoming increasingly frustrated with O’Neill’s refusal to budge, but is still expected to return with a fifth offer, which is believed to be worth around £16m plus full-back Steve Finnan.
The last time Barry was in action was as England captain in the 3-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago on June 1, marking the occasion with a goal.
Interview
But his stock has declined dramatically among supporters and the club’s hierarchy after giving an unauthorised interview with a Sunday newspaper in which he criticised O’Neill and insisted he wants a move to Merseyside.
The misdemeanour prompted O’Neill to ban him from training for the maximum two weeks allowed under PFA rules and it was only last Wednesday that he returned.
O’Neill and Barry held talks the following day but the midfielder simply reiterated his desire to get his dream move to Anfield and get a chance to play Champions League football.
The likelihood of him playing European football this weekend when Villa host Danish opponents Odense BK in the second leg of their Intertoto Cup third-round tie still seems unlikely despite last night’s run-out.
5 Comments
dont believe it they must have been Wolves fans booing they are famous for it even win awards
Gareth, if you want to know how to leave a club with dignity see Mellberg, O. But no, you had to go bleating to the papers, no wonder the fans are annoyed. You can still get out by handing in a transfer request. Now I wonder why you won’t…..
The way things have panned out since Benitez went public about his interest in Barry, the whole sorry mess has got totally out of hand and not all of it is Barry’s fault. I like many others felt agrieved by Barry’s decision to leave and the unfortunate newspaper hype didn’t help either, but too many times we forget the good times players have given us, and publicly hound them every chance we get.
The media of course love it, its another headline for them to emblazen their back pages with and shoot down in flames, a player who only a short time ago they placed on a pedestal for his excellent performances with the national team.
Of course i’m not happy that Barry wants to leave, I do though respect his wishes and feel nothing but scorn for those so called supporters who bood him, you should all be ashamed of yourselves though I know you wont be, fans like you don’t know the meaning of the word.
I WOULD PLAY HIM AGAINST {Odense BK} EVEN IF IT IS ONLY AS SUB FOR 30 SECONDS COS I THINK THAT WOULD MAKE HIM CUP TIED FOR EUROPE,THEN HE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR HIS EUROPEAN CHANCE AND MAY NOT GET IT IF EVERTON OR ASTON VILLA NICK THE FOURTH CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPOT.
As a wolves fan i applaud villa for their stance on Barry, hopefully SAF will do the same with Ronaldo and these overhyped overpaid players will stop holding clubs to randsom.
Never nice to boo your own players but he deserves all he gets for the lack of respect to the club that made him